Ben Stokes Set for Pakistan Series Comeback

England has confirmed that captain Ben Stokes is "on track" to feature in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, set to begin in just 12 days. The all-rounder has been sidelined since August due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

Stokes, now 33, underwent a scheduled scan on Wednesday to assess his recovery. England’s official statement indicated that the results were encouraging, confirming that his rehabilitation is progressing as expected. The injury occurred six-and-a-half weeks ago, and Stokes is now eyeing a return in time for the series opener in Multan on 7 October.

The England team is set to depart for Pakistan on Tuesday. Stokes missed England’s recent 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka, with Ollie Pope stepping in as captain during his absence.

While Stokes appears ready to lead the side, questions remain over whether he will be fit to bowl early in the tour. In an interview with Sky Sports, he expressed caution when asked about his bowling readiness for the first Test. He mentioned that, after weeks of limited activity and gym work, it wasn’t just the hamstring that needed to be in shape. He highlighted the importance of fully recovering his entire body to avoid further injury.

Reflecting on his recovery, Stokes stated that he felt positive overall and was awaiting the results of his scan to push his rehab further. He explained that his injury was more complex than a typical hamstring tear, involving damage to the tendon, which added time to the recovery process.

With Stokes out of the Sri Lanka series, England made adjustments by moving wicketkeeper Jamie Smith up to number six in the batting order and fielding an additional bowler. However, if Stokes can only bat during the Pakistan series, England may face a selection dilemma. To keep the same team balance, they could slot Stokes into the top five, potentially at the expense of a regular top-order player.

Alternatively, England might opt for a four-bowler strategy, similar to what they used earlier in the year when Stokes couldn’t bowl due to a knee injury in India. Joe Root’s off-spin could also be utilised to supplement the bowling attack.

England will be hoping for a strong showing in Pakistan, where they previously secured a 3-0 series win in 2022—the first time a visiting team had completed a clean sweep in a three-Test series in the country.